City · Kentucky
Benton, Kentucky
Benton, city, in Marshall County, Kentucky. Benton had 4,718 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 0.9% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 4,756 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 4,748 (±23). GEOID 2105824.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
4,718
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 4,756 · ACS 2020-2024: 4,748 ±23
Median household income
$66,827
±$18,749 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $63,726
Median home value
$157,000
±$16,689 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $205,600
Median gross rent
$787
±$84 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $967
Where is Benton and what county is it in?
Benton is a city in Marshall County, Kentucky. It covers 5.1 square miles of land, 933 residents per square mile in 2020.
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Benton, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 4,718 people lived in Benton on July 1, 2025, down 0.9% since 2020, while Kentucky grew 2.2%. The 2020 Census counted 4,756 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 4,748 (±23).
| Measure | Benton | Marshall County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 4,748 ±23 | 31,743 | +271 |
| Households | 1,938 ±234 | 13,209 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.29 ±0.27 | 2.36 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 2,142 ±238 | 16,572 | no clear change |
Benton's population since 2000
From 4,197 in 2000 to 4,718 in 2025: up 12.4%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Benton as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Benton?
The median resident of Benton is 43.2 years old; 19.1% are under 18 and 19.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 88.4%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 3.6%. 2.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Benton | Marshall County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.2 ±5.7 | 45.1 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 19.1% ±4.8 pts | 20.1% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.9% ±4.1 pts | 22.6% | – |
| Male | 48.2% ±5.2 pts | 49.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.6% ±3.0 pts | 2.0% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 88.4% ±3.7 pts | 95.4% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.5% ±1.1 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.1% ±0.9 pts | 0.4% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.8% ±0.9 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.8 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.6% ±2.8 pts | 1.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.8 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.4% ±1.0 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.7% ±2.0 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.9% ±3.6 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 18.0% ±5.2 pts | 20.4% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.1% ±3.0 pts | 8.1% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 95.7% ±2.4 pts | 91.4% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 20.1% ±5.9 pts | 21.2% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 8.8% ±4.3 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 83.4% ±7.0 pts | 89.4% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.2% ±1.9 pts | 1.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Benton earn?
Half of Benton's 1,938 households earn less than $66,827 a year (±$18,749), against $65,831 in Marshall County and $63,726 in Kentucky. In 2015-2019 it was $60,357 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 11.4% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Benton | Marshall County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $66,827 ±$18,749 | $65,831 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $74,438 ±$11,145 | $83,442 | – |
| Per capita income | $30,643 ±$3,585 | $34,734 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 11.4% ±6.8 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 20.6% ±15.6 pts | 14.8% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 6.2% ±5.0 pts | 9.3% | – |
| Households with a computer | 95.8% ±4.1 pts | 95.3% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 88.0% ±8.0 pts | 85.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Benton?
Owners occupy 78.7% of Benton's occupied homes and renters 21.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $157,000 by its owner (±$16,689). The median renter pays $787 a month including utilities, and 59.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Benton | Marshall County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $157,000 ±$16,689 | $173,800 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $787 ±$84 | $798 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 59.8% ±20.4 pts | 39.3% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,193 ±$81 | $1,248 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 78.7% ±10.0 pts | 81.6% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 21.3% ±10.0 pts | 18.4% | – |
| Housing units | 2,142 ±238 | 16,572 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±2.4 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 8.0% ±12.4 pts | 6.5% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 81.7% ±8.1 pts | 76.7% | – |
| Mobile homes | 4.8% ±4.7 pts | 15.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.0% ±1.7 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 1.4% ±1.8 pts | 8.1% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 5.3% ±5.0 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 7.1% ±5.0 pts | 4.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How do people in Benton work and get to work?
79.9% of Benton's workers drive alone and 13.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 27.2 minutes.
| Measure | Benton | Marshall County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 60.4% ±6.8 pts | 55.9% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.0% ±3.4 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 79.9% ±5.8 pts | 78.2% | – |
| Carpooled | 4.1% ±3.5 pts | 10.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±1.6 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Walked | 1.8% ±2.4 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 13.4% ±5.8 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 27.2 min ±5.1 | 23.7 min | +9.8 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Benton?
1 census tract lies mostly in Benton, and 2 more reach into it (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9504Marshall County | 5,539 | $74,248 |
| Tract 9505.02Marshall County | 2,737 | $63,226 |
| Tract 9503Marshall County | 4,222 | $67,667 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Benton) · Census block assignment files
How does Benton compare with other places in Kentucky?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Benton is the 5,061st-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 82nd-most populous of 418 in Kentucky.
Benton ranks 76th of 230 places in Kentucky with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 82nd | 418 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 142nd | 204 |
| Residents per square mile | 141st | 232 |
| Median household income | 76th | 230 |
| Per capita income | 109th | 232 |
| Median home value | 133rd | 225 |
| Median gross rent | 128th | 217 |
| Poverty rate | 160th | 203 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 124th | 223 |
| Median age | 54th | 232 |
| Owner-occupied share | 44th | 229 |
| Work from home | 56th | 130 |
| Travel time to work | 33rd | 232 |
Benton's figures with every place in Kentucky (CSV)
Every place in Kentucky, sortable · Compare Benton with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Benton?
21 of the 57 figures for Benton on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Benton are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Benton.